Venezuela: Globovisión’s president Zuloaga was released

Hugo Chávez emphasized today that he respects the autonomy of the Public Powers in Venezuela and he said that impunity must come an end, amidst the debate generated by the processing and temporary detention of Guillermo Zuloaga, owner of opposition channel Globovision.

Zuloaga, who was indicted “for allegedly committing the crimes of offenses against the Venezuelan state leaders by disseminating false information”, was released after several hours of arrest. Although he regained his freedom, he was barred from leaving the country as he is charged with two offenses.

The channel has been repeatedly denounced by Chavez and his officials over “doing media terrorism” and of having conceived the 2002 coup along with other sectors.

Meanwhile, the Venezuelan president said that he felt happy because “institutions in Venezuela are finally working,” and he dismissed criticisms and accusations by opposition sectors regarding criminal proceedings brought by Venezuelan police.

“Who would be surprised that the voices of imperialism, that the right-wing spokesmen lash against Venezuela? It does not matter to us, what matters to us is being free. Here we are free, there is a sovereign state that makes its decisions,” Chavez.

“The rich here could kill, steal, do anything but they wouldn’t get any of that. That’s what they criticise, well, welcome to the rabble venom. No one is untouchable here in Venezuela,” Hugo Chávez emphasized.

In turn, the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) urged today the international intervention “to prevent further degradation of press freedom in Venezuela and in the Western Hemisphere.”

IAPA also urged the Venezuelan government to give Zuloaga a fair trial and to observe the due process.